I received the below interesting and informative reply from Rosemary at the Pembrokeshire Birding website to my query on my last post about the Wryneck sightings in Pembrokeshire and their migration path:
"There are a few ringing recoveries which indicate that they are Scandinavian birds. Maybe they go a bit too far west then see the Atlantic, put the brakes on and finish up in Pembs!! A straight line from Scandinavia to Africa certainly does not go through Pembs!"
Steve Judge said
Thu Sep 21 4:46 PM, 2023
21st September 2023. Walk from Marloes to St Brides along Pembrokeshire Coastal Path:
There are lots of Wryneck sightings along the Pembrokeshire coast at present. They are on their way back to Africa. I was trying to work out from which breeding grounds they are returning. My understanding is that they do not breed in the UK - only on mainland Europe and Scandinavia. So looking at the geography of Pemrokeshire in relation to their breeding grounds I assume they may be returning from their Scandinavian breeding grounds. Any thoughts?
Tuesday 12th September 2023
Two Wryneck seen on the "Deer Park" (between Martins Haven and Skomer Island)
Hoopoe seen on Dale Airfield (first time I have seen one in UK!)
Other birds seen included: Stonechat, Wheatear, Chough, Raven, Gannet, Rock Pipit, Linnet, Buzzard and Kestrel.
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 13th of September 2023 08:00:53 AM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 13th of September 2023 08:01:35 AM
Steve Judge said
Mon Sep 11 4:59 PM, 2023
Monday 11th September 2023
Pembrokeshire coastal path from Whitesands beach to St Davids Headland
Lots of Wryneck sightings in Pembrokeshire at the moment.
Steve Judge said
Wed Oct 19 3:12 PM, 2022
19th October 2022 13:45 hrs:
Cattle Egret (1) seen in field with black bulls just off Pembrokershire Coastal Path near St Davids. Specifically near path between St Nons and Porthclais.
Also, seen along Pembrokeshire Coastal Path this week has been: Chough Stonechat Wheatear Little Egret Raven Rock Pipit Meadow Pipit Linnet Oystercatcher Grey Plover Tawny Owl heard during the night
Steve Judge said
Fri Oct 14 4:56 PM, 2022
Highlights while on holiday in Newport (Pembrokeshire) between 8th October - 15th October:
Poppit Sands at mouth of Teifi Estuary (on 14/10/22). Just outside Pembrokeshire in Ceridigion. Osprey (1) Oystercatcher (24) Ringed plover (8) Common Sandpiper (4) Curlew (1) Grey Plover (1) Little Egret (1) Buzzard (2)
Newport (River Nevern estuary and iron bridge area): Wigeon (30) Redshank (3) Common Sandpiper (1) Red Kite (1) Buzzard (3) Little Egret (3) Little Grebe (2) Grey Heron (1) Great Black-Backed Gull (4)
Dinas Head: Stonechat (9) Raven (2) Chough (2) Guillemot (1) Rock Pipit (2)
Steve Judge said
Wed May 26 7:02 PM, 2021
Wednesday, 26th May 2021.
Pengelli Forest (few miles south of Cardigan). Highlights were:
Pied Flycatcher x 2 (M&F) (See attached photo of male) Spotted Flycatcher x 1 Red Kite x 2 Goldcrest x 2 Blackcap x 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Buzzard x 3 Song Thrush x 3
Dipped on Redstart though!
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 26th of May 2021 07:04:13 PM
Doc Brewster said
Sun Apr 25 9:42 PM, 2021
On my trip to see the Tenby Walrus on Saturday 24th, I picked up a few year tick birds too.
On the stanchions holding up the Lifeboat Station and the rocks around them I picked up 2 Purple Sandpipers and 10 Turnstones, both 2021 yearticks. Another new bird was a Rock Pipit on the Lifeboat ramp itself. On the jouney home and not all in Pembrokeshire (although the first one was) I saw 11 Red Kites whilst driving, again a new species for the year.
Steve Judge said
Wed May 8 5:12 PM, 2019
Gwaun Valley (Pontfaen to Tregynon) and moorland below Mynydd Carningli
7th May 2019 11:20 - 16:00 hrs. Highlights included:
Pied Flycatcher (Male) x 1 Red Kite x 1 Peregrine x 1 Buzzard x 3 Kestrel x 1 Wheatear x 7 Stonechat x 3 Whitethroat x 1 Chiffchaff x 5 Willow Warbler x 3 Grey Wagtail x 2 Skylark x 5 Meadow Pipit x 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Dunnock x 2 Mistle Thrush x 3 Swallows x 20 House Martin x 5
FYI - a Leucistic Whimbrel has been reported on Skokholm Island! See link for details and picture... http://pembsbirds.blogspot.com/
Steve Judge said
Tue May 7 5:57 PM, 2019
Pembrokeshire Coastal walks between 27th April and 6th May 2019. Dry, cool and sunny (perfect walking conditions).
Including Martin's Haven, Marloes Mere, Solva, St David's Head, Aber Mawr, Strumble Head and Dale Peninsula.
Four most prominent birds were: Wheatear x 30 Linnet x 100 Stonechat x 40 Whitethroat x 50
Red Kite x 5 Hobby x 1 Kestrel x 3 Buzzard x 8 Chough x 15 Gannet x 12 Fulmar x 7 Blackcap x 1 Chiffchaff x 25 Willow Warbler x 10 Sedge Warbler x 2 Ringed Plover x 2 Whimbrel x 30 Whinchat x 1 Skylark x 10 Rock Pipit x 5 Meadow Pipit x 4 Raven x 8 Shelduck x 1 White Wagtail x 1 Pied Wagtail x 4 Oystercatcher x 8 Swallows x 100 House Martin x 20 Mistle Thrush x 3 Song Thrush x 1 Jay x 3 Magpie x 7 Cormorant x 2 Carrion Crow x 40 Jackdaw x 60 Rook x 30 Great Black-Backed Gulls x 5 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls x 45 Herring Gulls x 30 Robin x 5 Goldfinch x 15 House Sparrow x 10 Dunnock x 2 Mallard x 4 Little Grebe x 1 Bullfinch x 1 Great Tit x 5 Blue Tit x 7 Chaffinch x 10 Blackbird x 8 Wren x 3 Collared Dove x 4 Woodpigeon x 10 Canada Geese x 10 Moorhen x 3 Coot x 5
Roger Baker 3 said
Mon May 7 10:51 PM, 2018
We got lucky yesterday as a birder present told us that on Saturday it had spent all day hidden in the reeds so well worth the long journey. .................................................................................................................................................................
Sat 5th May. 08.00 - 13.00 hrs. With Ian Lyth and Paul Greenall.
Don't know where this bloke had got his info from Rob, but the bird was doing it's usual circuit of the pond giving good views for everyone there .... Would have posted but was waiting for some images off Mr Lyth who had carried on into the "wild blue yonder" and zonked out somewhere !
This must be some garden pond ... the Lady of the House told us that it has been visited in the past by both Purple and Squacco Heron ??
Nice to bump into Holly Paige again.
Roger.
sid ashton said
Mon May 7 3:14 PM, 2018
Rob Creek wrote:
I'm surprised it seems nobody else off the forum has been for this bird, unless you've all seen one before and it is a fair distance away which has to be taken into consideration. It was just something that struck me that's all, and I hope it had nothing to do with the negative politics that surround the landowner.
I certainly have seen Green Heron previously Rob. The bird at Red Wharf Bay on Anglesey was the target bird for my first ever twitch in November 2005
Rob Creek said
Mon May 7 1:53 PM, 2018
Sunday 6th May
An early morning trip to Llan Mill with Simon Gough. Nice to see Paul Baker and his Mrs.
- Green Heron (Lifer) A brilliantl looking bird that was partly hidden on arrival but showed well eventually before blending back into obscurity at the back of the pond. We witnessed it stealthily climbing the ponds overhanging branches and then lean down and catch a Perch in lightning speed, which it had actually speared with the bill's upper mandible. We got lucky yesterday as a birder present told us that on Saturday it had spent all day hidden in the reeds so well worth the long journey.
Other birds of note... - 1 Dipper flew right by us while watching the Heron - 2 Blackcap - 1 Sedge Warbler - 1 Willow Warbler - 1 Chiffchaff - 2 Whitethroat - 1 Bullfinch - a possible Lesser Whitethroat but it was heard only from a moving car so I could've been wrong.
I'm surprised it seems nobody else off the forum has been for this bird, unless you've all seen one before and it is a fair distance away which has to be taken into consideration. It was just something that struck me that's all, and I hope it had nothing to do with the negative politics that surround the landowner.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 7th of May 2018 01:56:29 PM
Newport (one in Pembrokeshire!) - from Ironbridge along short section of Afon Nyfer estuary:
Red Kite x 1 Greenshank x 3 Bar-Tailed Godwit x 3 Little Egret x 2 Curlew x 3 Common Sandpiper x 2 Ringed Plover x 7 Oystercatcher x 10 Goosander x 4 Bar-Headed Goose x 2 (locals think they are escapees) Greylag Goose x 1 Canada Geese x 400 plus Linnet x 30 Cormorant x 1 Great Black-Backed Gull x 5 Herring Gull x 10 Black-Headed Gull x 40 Carrion Crow x 10 Jackdaw x 20 Mute Swan x 2 Mallard x 15 Magpie x 2 Robin x 2 Wren x 1 Long-Tailed Tit x 1 Collared Dove x 2
Dinas Head in the morning:
Raven x 2 Meadow Pipit x 20 Gannet x 3 Stonechat x 10 Wheatear x 3 Swallows x 5
Steve Judge said
Thu Sep 14 7:39 PM, 2017
Circular walk (mostly along Pembrokeshire coastal path) from St Davids - St Nons Bay - Porth Clais - side of Ramsey Sound - St Justinian's Lifeboat House and back to St Davids
9th September 2017 10:00 - 16:00 hrs.
Peregrine x 1 Kestrel x 4 Buzzard x 2 Linnet x 30 Chough x 4 Gannet x 5 Rock Pipit x 10 Stonechat x 7 Wheatear x 3 Meadow Pipit x 1 Raven x 2 White Wagtail x 1 Oystercatcher x 4 Swallows x 10 House Martin x 5 Jay x 1 Cormorant x 2 Carrion Crow x 15 Jackdaw x 10 Rook x 5 Great Black-Backed Gulls x 5 Herring Gulls x 30 Rock Dove x 10 Robin x 1 Goldfinch x 5 House Sparrow x 10 Dunnock x 1 Mallard x 4
Rob Creek said
Mon Dec 5 4:26 PM, 2016
Sunday 4th December Left the house at 4.20am and was back home at 3.30pm in time for United! Best part of a 5 hrs journey, a lot of it in pitch black unlit roads through deepest darkest mid Wales, but some cracking sightings on both journeys, especially the Mammals (to follow on other wildlife).
Camrose village. - Masked Wagtail (Lifer) Was showing down to a few feet literally minutes after parking up. A fantastic, very confiding little bird, not bothered about the 6 or 7 of us present. Well worth the journey. Even some of the residents were out taking pictures, nice people!
Other birds seen on the trip as a whole... - Red Kite 50+ ?? - Hen Harrier 1 Ringtail being mobbed by Carrion Crows - Merlin 1 female bombing across a field chasing a bird - Ravens here and there - Redwing / Fieldfare ... constant flocks over
I stopped to see a couple of Red Kites just outside Pembroke as they were low over the road, when I got out of the car to look in the field they were scouring over...I was amazed to a whole plethora of birds there. The field was recently ploughed and it was alive with birds with more flying around. All feeding together were...
- Red Kite 10+ - Common Buzzard 15-20 (lots of pale ones) - Grey Heron 3 - Little Egret 2 - Lapwing 75-100 - Redwing / Fieldfare / Mistle Thrush / Blackbird - Rooks / Ravens / Carrion Crows
Circular walk (mostly along Pembrokeshire coastal path) from St Davids - St Nons Bay - Porth Clais - Ramsey Sound - St Justinian's Lifeboat House and back to St Davids
29th September 2016 09:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Osprey x 1 Twite x 5 Chough x 4 Gannet x 2 Rock Pipit x 5 Stonechat x 20 Wheatear x 3 Raven x 4 Meadow Pipit x 7 Oystercatcher x 4 Swallows x 50 Cormorant x 4 Kestrel x 3 Buzzard x 1 Carrion Crow x 15 Jackdaw x 20 Rook x 17 Great Black-Backed Gulls x 7 Rock Dove x 30 Dunnock x 1
Steve Judge said
Sun Oct 9 2:57 PM, 2016
Blacktar Point, Llangwm and Benton Wood
26th September 2016.
Highlights included:
Curlew Sandpiper x 2 Kingfisher x 1 Little Egret x 3 Curlew x 2 Oystercatcher x 4 Common Sandpiper x 1 Teal x 5 Great Black-Backed Gull x 3 Mute Swan x 2 Cormorant x 5 Robin x 3 Mallard x 10
Steve Judge said
Sun Oct 9 2:49 PM, 2016
22nd September 2016
The Preseli Ridge
Highlights included:
Raven x 30 (total of different sightings) Red Kite x 8 Buzzard x 5 Wheatear x 1 Stonechat x 7 Meadow Pipit x 15
Steve Judge said
Mon Sep 19 6:47 PM, 2016
Monday, 19th September 2016.
No boats to Skomer Island from Martin's Haven this morning - so unable to check out Icterine Warbler on Skomer (which was sighted again today).
So Plan 'B' instead - circular walk - Wooltack Point - Marloes Sands - Marloes Mere - return to Martin's Haven.
Chough x 8 Stonechat x 10 Meadow Pipit x 15 Gannet x 3 Raven x 4 Linnet x 7 Reed Bunting x 1 Robin x 4 House Sparrow x 8 Carrion Crow x 20 Jackdaw x 30 Buzzard x 1 Swallow x 40 Cormorant x 2 Magpie x 6
Marloes Mere: Willow Warbler x 1 Little Grebe x 1 Mallard x 20
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Monday 19th of September 2016 06:52:08 PM
Steve Judge said
Sun Sep 18 4:10 PM, 2016
Walk from Solva - St Elvis Farm (honestly I am not joking!) - Pointz Castle - and return via Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
Sunday, 18th September 2016 10:15 - 15:30 hrs.
Chough x 2 Red Kite x 1 Peregrine Falcon x 2 Sparrowhawk x 1 Buzzard x 3 Kestrel x 2 Raven x 4 Stonechat x 15 Rock Pipit x 3 Meadow Pipit x 5 Linnet x 7 Oystercatcher x 1 Dipper x 1 Wren x 1 Rook x 40 Carrion Crow x 30 Jackdaw x 35 Swallow x 10 Cormorant x 1 Great Black-Backed Gull x 5 Herring Gull x 10 Black-Headed Gull x 5 Robin x 3 Blue Tit x 1 Great Tit x 1 Chaffinch x 3 House Sparrow x 9 Magpie x 3 Canada Geese x 10
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Sunday 18th of September 2016 04:11:00 PM
Steve Judge said
Sat Sep 17 6:03 PM, 2016
Circular walk (mostly along Pembrokeshire coastal path) from St Davids - St Nons Bay - Porth Clais - Ramsey Sound - St Justinian's Lifeboat House and back to St Davids
Saturday, 17th September 2016 09:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Chough x 7 (different sightings) Gannet x 2 Stonechat x 60 Raven x 2 Meadow Pipit x 10 Oystercatcher x 2 Swallows x 150 (flying south along Welsh coast) House Martin x 30 Cormorant x 4 Kestrel x 1 Buzzard x 1 Carrion Crow x 20 Jackdaw x 50 Rook x 30 Great Black-Backed Gulls x 3 Herring Gull x 40 Magpie x 3 Rock Dove x 30 Woodpigeon x 10 Blue Tit x 5 Great Tit x 3 Robin x 3 Mallard x 20
Steve Judge said
Sat Sep 17 5:55 PM, 2016
Friday, 16th September 2016.
On drive down through Wales yesterday - my passenger saw 18 different sightings of Red Kite and 1 Buzzard along A487 between Machynlleth and Cardigan
Steve Judge said
Sun Sep 20 5:04 PM, 2015
Sunday, 20th September 2015 11:30 - 14:30 hrs.
Walk from Broad Haven (Millmoor car park) - Haroldston Wood - along Pembrokeshire Coastal Path back to Broad Haven. Cloudy, windy but mild.
Whinchat x 1 (lifer for me - amazing that I have not seen this bird before!) Peregrine x 1 Stonechat x 3 Gannet x 1 Raven x 1 Spotted Flycatcher x 2 Buzzard x 1 Oystercatcher x 3 White Wagtail x 1 Cormorant x 2 Coal Tit x 2 Long Tailed Tit x 1 Blue Tit x 1 Great Tit x 2 Blackbird x 2 Wren x 1 House Sparrow x 10 Meadow Pipit x 3 Great Black-Backed Gulls x 10 Herring Gulls x 30 Rooks x 50 Jackdaws x 40 Carrion Crows x 5 Magpie x 2 Robin x 5
Steve Judge said
Sat Sep 19 5:44 PM, 2015
Saturday, 19th September 2015 10:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Walk from Goodwick (west of Fishguard) to Carregwastad Point along Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and inland return via Llanwnda. Dry and sunny conditions.
Hi Rob - thanks for your update and your private message. In the excitement of spotting Wryneck on Ramsey Island yesterday - I should have specified it was 700 plus Grey Atlantic Seal Pups that are expected in total by November (on / around Ramsey Island).
Highlight - Red Kite x 3 Chough x 2 Buzzard x 2 Kestrel x 1 Raven x 5 Linnet x 20 Stonechat x 15 Gannet x 1 (out at sea) Goldfinch x 30 Great Black-Backed Gulls x 10 Herring Gulls x 10 Blue Tit x 1 Cormorant x 2 Swallows x 30 Magpies x 2 Jackdaws x 10 Meadow Pipit x 3 Robin x 5
Grey Atlantic Seals and pups x lots
Butterflies: Small Copper x 1 Speckled Wood x 25 Small Tortoiseshell x 7
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 19th of September 2015 06:23:42 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 19th of September 2015 08:35:39 PM
Rob Creek said
Fri Sep 18 7:12 PM, 2015
Hi Steve, I've PM'd you as that figure of 700 could probably be just pup's alone!
Steve Judge said
Fri Sep 18 6:24 PM, 2015
Friday, 18th September 2015 10:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Ramsey Island (boat trip from St Justinians). Dry and sunny conditions. Great to meet Greg and Lisa who are employed by RSPB and are resident on Island.
Main Highlight - Wryneck x 1 (first sighting for me on British mainland - do not feel too bad now about missing out on one at Lytham!) Marsh Harrier (Male) x 1 Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 Spotted Flycatcher x 1 Rock Pipit x 1 Chough x 20 (there are currently 7 breeding pairs on island) Wheatear x 15 Stonechat x 7 Gannets x lots (out at sea) Pied Wagtail x 2 White Wagtail x 1 Meadow Pipit x 20 Dunnock x 1 Blue Tit x 1 Robin x 3 Great Black-Backed Gull x 3 Herring Gull x 10 Black-Headed Gull x 3 Carrion Crow x 5 Raven x 4 Rooks x 5 Jackdaw x 20 Rock Dove x 5 Swallows x 50 House Martin x 20
Atlantic Seals (approximately 50 adults and 30 pups) scattered around island coast. Greg tells me that this figure will increase to unbelievable maximum 700 plus by November.
Steve Judge said
Wed Sep 16 7:18 PM, 2015
Wednesday, 16th September 2015. 10:30 - 16:00 hrs. Dry and sunny.
Blackcap x 1 (Female) Spotted Flycatcher x 3 Bar-Tailed Godwit x 10 Raven x 5 Curlew x 25 Great Black-backed Gull x 15 Lesser Black-backed Gull x 10 Black-headed Gull x 20 Herring Gull x 20 Redshank x 7 Oystercatcher x 20 Wheatear x 4 Stonechat x 1 Willow Warbler x 1 Little Egret x 5 White Wagtail x 3 Common Sandpiper x 3 Swallows x 50 Buzzard x 1 Magpie x 2 Rook x 20 Jackdaw x 10 Carrion Crow x 5 Cormorant x 3 Long Tailed Tit x 3 Wren x 1 Robin x 3 Great Tit x 5 Blue Tit x 5 Blackbird x 3 Nuthatch x 1 Mallard x 5 Goldfinch x 3 Chaffinch x 1
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 16th of September 2015 07:22:14 PM
Steve Judge said
Tue Sep 15 5:31 PM, 2015
Tuesday, 15th September 2015 10:00 - 15:00 hrs. Dry and sunny conditions.
Boat trip to Ramsey Island cancelled this morning due to high sea swell round the island. So - Plan B instead - Walk from Whitesands Bay - St Davids Head - along Pembrokeshire coast - round Carn Llidi - back to Whitesands Bay
Gannet x 7 Chough x 3 Whitethroat x 2 Stonechat x 40 Wheatear x 10 White Wagtail x 5 Willow Warbler x 1 Meadow Pipit x 20 Kestrel x 1 Raven x 4 Rook x 25 Oyster Catcher x 1 Jackdaw x 20 Great Black-Backed Gull x 4 Lesser Black-Backed Gull Herring Gull Black-Headed Gull Rock Dove x 1 Goldfinch x 7 Robin x 5 Dunnock x 1 Blue Tit x 1 Great Tit x 1 House Sparrow x 2 Swallow x 15
Atlantic Seals and 3 pups
Steve Judge said
Sun Sep 13 4:12 PM, 2015
Walk around perimeter of St Davids disused airfield - lovely heathland walk. Dry and Sunny (who said the weather was going to be bad this weekend!)
Sunday 13th September 2015 11:00 - 15:00 hrs.
Hoping to see Juvenile Red-Backed Shrike - seen earlier this week - but unfortunately no sign.
White Wagtail x 5 Linnet x 7 Stonechat x 3 Kestrel x 1 Rooks x 20 Meadow Pipit x 5 Magpies x 2 Jackdaws x 20 Carrion Crows x 10 House Sparrow x 8 Goldfinch x 20 Robin x 3 Blue Tit x 1 Blackbird x 1
Butterflies: Common Blue (1M and 1F) Painted Lady x 2 Meadow Brown x 2 Speckled Wood x 30 Small Tortoisehell x 3 Peacock x 2
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Sunday 13th of September 2015 04:20:32 PM
Steve Judge said
Sat Sep 12 6:03 PM, 2015
Circular walk (mostly along Pembrokeshire coastal path) from St Davids - St Nons Bay - Porth Clais - Ramsey Sound - St Justinian's Lifeboat and back to St Davids
Saturday, 12th September 2015 10:30 - 16:30 hrs. Rain had stopped by time of starting walk - sunshine with cool sea breeze throughout walk - perfect walking and birding conditions.
On drive down through Wales yesterday - saw 11 Red Kite and 5 Buzzards along A487 between Machynlleth and Cardigan
Chough x 4 Gannet x 5 Linnet x 20 Stonechat x 50 Wheatear x 4 Spotted Flycatcher x 3 Rock Pipit x 7 Raven x 5 Willow Warbler x 4 Meadow Pipit x 7 Oystercatcher x 1 Swallows x 40 House Martin x 10 Cormorant x 2 Goldfinch x 20 Kestrel x 3 Carrion Crow x 10 Jackdaw x 50 Rook x 30 Lesser Blacked-Back Gulls x 50 Great Black-Backed Gulls x 5 Herring Gull x 40 Magpie x 2 Rock Dove x 30 Collared Dove x 5 Woodpigeon x 10 Greenfinch x 1 Long Tailed Tits x 2 Blue Tit x 1 Dunnock x 1 Wren x 1 Robin x 3
Steve Judge said
Thu Sep 25 4:55 PM, 2014
Thursday, 25th September 2014 10:00 - 15:00 hrs.
Walk from St Davids Head - Whitesands Bay - St Justinians (and back)
Golden Plover Sanderling Rock Pipit Swallow (still a few left to leave!) Meadow Pipit Chough Gannet Curlew Kestrel Raven Crow Rook Stonechat Wheatear Oyster Catchers Jackdaw Great Black-Backed Gull Lesser Black-Backed Gull Herring Gull Black Headed Gull Rock Dove Goldfinch Robin Cormorant
No sign of Wryneck on St Davids Head today (spotted twice in last week)
No sign of Rose-Coloured Starling today (spotted a few times in last week) a mile from coast at nearby campsite.
Adult seals and pups
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 25th of September 2014 05:03:18 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 25th of September 2014 05:04:52 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Sep 15 8:33 PM, 2014
Originally posted by Steve Judge today:
Ramsey Island:
Monday, 15th September 2014 10:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Chough x 10 Spotted Flycatcher x 4 Whinchat x 1 Stonechat x 3 Wheatear x 10 Meadow Pipits x lots Peregrine Kestrel Buzzard Raven x 4 Pied Wagtail Crows Great Black Backed Gulls x lots Lesser Black Backed Gulls Herring Gulls No sign of Little Owl
Lots of Atlantic Seals and Pups on beaches
Steve Judge said
Sat Sep 13 7:30 PM, 2014
Circular walk (mostly along Pembrokeshire coastal path) from St Davids - St Nons Bay - Porth Clais - Ramsey Sound - St Justinian's and back to St Davids
Saturday, 13th September 2014 10:30 - 17:00 hrs. in glorious sunshine and perfect temperature:
Chough (well chuffed!) Gannet Stonechat Rock Pipit White Wagtail Ringed Plover Common Sandpiper Raven Oystercatcher Swallows Cormorant Goldfinch Kestrel Crows Jackdaw Lesser Blacked-Back Gulls Blacked Backed Gulls Herring Gull Magpie House Sparrow Chaffinch Feral Pigeon
Also seen: Atlantic Grey Seals and pup Lizard
Butterflies: Red Admiral x lots Speckled Wood Large White Common Blue Small Copper
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:17:46 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:23:05 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:25:25 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:26:33 PM
Terry Long said
Sun Sep 30 10:29 PM, 2012
Highlights from weeks holiday in pendine inc day at wisemans bridge
huge numbers of common scoter pomarine skua great skua fulmar gannet manx shearwater poss. sooty shearwater razorbill eider little gull shag peregrine rock pipit sandwich tern
john brookes said
Thu Jun 7 10:16 PM, 2012
Holiday weekend included a walk from Lamphey to Stackpole head LAMPHEY Tawny Owls - 2 Goldcrest FRESHWATER Reedbeds next to car park Sedge warbler, Reed warbler, Reed Bunting all nesting, Goldfinches. Cliff walk Dunnock, Linnet, Whitethroat, Skylark, Meadow pipit, all in abundance. GBB Gulls, LBB Gulls, Carrion Crows, 2 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine, Cormorants, Oystercatchers, 4 Dunlin, 2 Stonechat (m), Jackdaws everywhere. STACKPOLE Female Redstart on picnic table!, Chaffinches eating out of your hand. STACKPOLE HEAD Pied Wagtails, Crows, Skylark and Linnet all over the place. Herring Gulls with chicks, Fulmar with chicks, Guillimots and Razorbills giving fantastic views on the cliffs. 4 Gannet, 10 Cormorant, and nesting Jackdaw by the dozen.
-- Edited by john brookes on Thursday 7th of June 2012 10:19:40 PM
Keith Mills said
Wed May 30 1:56 AM, 2012
Friday Evening, 25th May.
DALE After an excellent Dinner at the Griffin Inn we went for a stroll along the embankment that separates the sea and pebble beach from the lagoon.
Friday, 25th.of May. Today we explored the Fishguard area of Pembrokeshire.
Strumble Head A top sea watching site,but a little quiet on this visit. Manx Shearwater...7 Puffin...1 Gannets....c 200 Oystercatchers...2 Razorbill...2 Fulmar 9 Kestrel...1 Swallows/Linnets/Stonechat(1). Cormorant 4 Shag...1 Kittiwake Rock Pipit...1 Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Fishguard (Goodwick Moor) This reed bed and wood near the town centre produced: Greenfinch...2, Linnet...3 Chaffinch...plenty Garden Warbler...1 Wren...1 Blackcap...3 Robins Oystercatcher Reed Bunting...1 Sedge Warbler...3 Reed Warbler...1 House Sparrows Ringed Plover
Nevern Estuary(Newport) Around the boats on the sands near the mouth of the Estuary were: Ringed Plover ...c40 Sanderling...4 Dunlin...12 Turnstone...2 Cormorants. Shelduck Canada geese Great Black-backed,Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 06:29:11 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 06:33:25 PM
Keith Mills said
Tue May 29 4:47 PM, 2012
Saturday 26th of May. Today we explored the south Pembrokeshire coast, and enjoyed more hot sunny weather.
Freshwater West. We sat on the edge of the cliffs and watched around 30 Sand Martin coming and going into their holes. A Rock Pipit was near us, and at sea were Gannets and Auk, as well as a white headed Cormorant.
Elegug Stacks
This is a tall pillar of rock, just in the sea, a few yards off the cliff. It is aptly name, as Elegug translates into Guillemot. The top of the rock and down it's side were coved in Guillemots ,although lower down Razorbills could be seen. It has the largest breeding colony (mainland) in South Wales. Fulmars and Kittiwake were also about A Skylark was seen..
Bosherston Pools to St. Govan's head. A longish walk produced nothing too special other than: Mute Swan....5 Buzzard...1 Reed Warbler...1 Linnet ...several Stonechat...1 Swallows Long-tail Tits Jackdaws and Crows Whitethroat ...several. A few Swifts. Goldfinch...1 Pied Wagtail...1 Mallards. Blackpool Mill and the Leat walk At the bridge by the mill,we had 2 or 3 Dippers ,a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail, all within 10 minutes. The woods on the Leat walk were quiet but we managed a Spotted Flycatcher, a Marsh Tit, a Coal Tit and a Jay. Also a Broad- bodied Chaser and a Beautiful Damoiselle Dragonfly.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 05:00:07 PM
Keith Mills said
Mon May 28 11:41 PM, 2012
Thursday..24/5/12 VISIT TO SKOMER ISLAND. NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Along with 7 other Bolton RSPB members,I enjoyed a great day out on this Island ,which is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. This was my first visit here. The weather was hot and sunny. Before we could embark our party on the ''Dale Princess' at Martin's Haven,we had some time to explore the Headland (Wooltackpoint) that overlooks the Jetty. This turned out to be a pleasant 90 minutes walk with outstanding views. Headland Sightings: Common Whitethroat...2 Gannet ...5 Swallows....10 Stonechat...3 Linnet....3 Chough...13 Fulmar...3 Rock Pipit...1 Meadow Pipit....3 Great Black- backed Gulls Oystercatcher...1 Shelduck...2 Herring Gulls Peregrine...1 Razorbill...2 Dunnock...1
Skomer
As the Boat approached the Island numerous Puffins and Auk flew around. An airborne Herring Gull was fed by hand from the boats cabin. Flowers on Skomer were incredible. Large areas of Bluebell mingling with Red Campion to produce a stunning carpet of colour
Sightings: Many more Puffins were seen throughout the island, and burrows were widespread. Offshore, Gannets were continually seen, often diving. As well as the large colonies of Razorbill and Guillemot, there was a substantial Kittiwake colony and plenty Fulmar. Large numbers of Lesser Black- backed and Great Black- back Gulls and also Herring Gulls. Black Rabbits can be seen on the Island, which I think, once held a Rabbit Farm. Spotted Flycatcher and several Sedge Warblers were seen. A Rock Pipit and a Pied Wagtail added to the List. Meadow Pipits and Common Whitethroat were plentiful, as were Swallows and Jackdaws. Also a Cormorant, 3 Shovelers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Moorhen, a few Canada Geese and a Wren. A Little Owl was seen and while waiting for the return boat more Chough appeared. No Manx Shearwaters visible.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 01:05:52 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 06:35:42 PM
Matt Potter said
Mon Oct 25 2:33 PM, 2010
Mrs P and I, plus 8 week old Mini P successfully twitched the Squacco Heron in Angle yesterday.
I have to say, it was probably one of the easiest Twitches I have ever been invloved in! We parked up on the track near to the harbour near the described red boat, and it was in the creek just beyond the boat, approx 30 yards from us showing very well!
A lifer for all three of us! Mini P had a feed and we were off again!
Next purchase is an iPhone as Pembrokeshire was full of goodies yesterday that we didnt know about until we got on Birdguides at home!
"There are a few ringing recoveries which indicate that they are Scandinavian birds. Maybe they go a bit too far west then see the Atlantic, put the brakes on and finish up in Pembs!! A straight line from Scandinavia to Africa certainly does not go through Pembs!"
Wryneck (1)
Chough (2)
Gannet (5)
Wheatear (2)
Stonechat (4)
Rock Pipit (3)
Goldcrest (1)
Oystercatcher (2)
There are lots of Wryneck sightings along the Pembrokeshire coast at present. They are on their way back to Africa. I was trying to work out from which breeding grounds they are returning. My understanding is that they do not breed in the UK - only on mainland Europe and Scandinavia. So looking at the geography of Pemrokeshire in relation to their breeding grounds I assume they may be returning from their Scandinavian breeding grounds. Any thoughts?
Arctic Skua (1)
Sandwich Tern (2)
Turnstone (10)
Curlew (3)
Rock Pipit (4)
Redshank (5)
Little Egret (4)
Black-Tailed Godwit (3)
Grey Heron (2)
Great Black-Backed Gull (3)
Pied Wagtail (7)
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 13th of September 2023 08:00:53 AM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 13th of September 2023 08:01:35 AM
Pembrokeshire coastal path from Whitesands beach to St Davids Headland
Wryneck (1)
Stonechat (20)
Wheatear (7)
Chough (2)
Rock Pipit (4)
Gannet (10)
Whitethroat (1)
Linnet (4)
Raven (2)
Lots of Wryneck sightings in Pembrokeshire at the moment.
Cattle Egret (1) seen in field with black bulls just off Pembrokershire Coastal Path near St Davids. Specifically near path between St Nons and Porthclais.
Also, seen along Pembrokeshire Coastal Path this week has been:
Chough
Stonechat
Wheatear
Little Egret
Raven
Rock Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Linnet
Oystercatcher
Grey Plover
Tawny Owl heard during the night
Highlights while on holiday in Newport (Pembrokeshire) between 8th October - 15th October:
Poppit Sands at mouth of Teifi Estuary (on 14/10/22). Just outside Pembrokeshire in Ceridigion.
Osprey (1)
Oystercatcher (24)
Ringed plover (8)
Common Sandpiper (4)
Curlew (1)
Grey Plover (1)
Little Egret (1)
Buzzard (2)
Newport (River Nevern estuary and iron bridge area):
Wigeon (30)
Redshank (3)
Common Sandpiper (1)
Red Kite (1)
Buzzard (3)
Little Egret (3)
Little Grebe (2)
Grey Heron (1)
Great Black-Backed Gull (4)
Dinas Head:
Stonechat (9)
Raven (2)
Chough (2)
Guillemot (1)
Rock Pipit (2)
Wednesday, 26th May 2021.
Pengelli Forest (few miles south of Cardigan). Highlights were:
Pied Flycatcher x 2 (M&F) (See attached photo of male)
Spotted Flycatcher x 1
Red Kite x 2
Goldcrest x 2
Blackcap x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Buzzard x 3
Song Thrush x 3
Dipped on Redstart though!
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 26th of May 2021 07:04:13 PM
On my trip to see the Tenby Walrus on Saturday 24th, I picked up a few year tick birds too.
On the stanchions holding up the Lifeboat Station and the rocks around them I picked up 2 Purple Sandpipers and 10 Turnstones, both 2021 yearticks. Another new bird was a Rock Pipit on the Lifeboat ramp itself. On the jouney home and not all in Pembrokeshire (although the first one was) I saw 11 Red Kites whilst driving, again a new species for the year.
7th May 2019 11:20 - 16:00 hrs. Highlights included:
Pied Flycatcher (Male) x 1
Red Kite x 1
Peregrine x 1
Buzzard x 3
Kestrel x 1
Wheatear x 7
Stonechat x 3
Whitethroat x 1
Chiffchaff x 5
Willow Warbler x 3
Grey Wagtail x 2
Skylark x 5
Meadow Pipit x 3
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Dunnock x 2
Mistle Thrush x 3
Swallows x 20
House Martin x 5
FYI - a Leucistic Whimbrel has been reported on Skokholm Island! See link for details and picture... http://pembsbirds.blogspot.com/
Including Martin's Haven, Marloes Mere, Solva, St David's Head, Aber Mawr, Strumble Head and Dale Peninsula.
Four most prominent birds were:
Wheatear x 30
Linnet x 100
Stonechat x 40
Whitethroat x 50
Red Kite x 5
Hobby x 1
Kestrel x 3
Buzzard x 8
Chough x 15
Gannet x 12
Fulmar x 7
Blackcap x 1
Chiffchaff x 25
Willow Warbler x 10
Sedge Warbler x 2
Ringed Plover x 2
Whimbrel x 30
Whinchat x 1
Skylark x 10
Rock Pipit x 5
Meadow Pipit x 4
Raven x 8
Shelduck x 1
White Wagtail x 1
Pied Wagtail x 4
Oystercatcher x 8
Swallows x 100
House Martin x 20
Mistle Thrush x 3
Song Thrush x 1
Jay x 3
Magpie x 7
Cormorant x 2
Carrion Crow x 40
Jackdaw x 60
Rook x 30
Great Black-Backed Gulls x 5
Lesser Black-Backed Gulls x 45
Herring Gulls x 30
Robin x 5
Goldfinch x 15
House Sparrow x 10
Dunnock x 2
Mallard x 4
Little Grebe x 1
Bullfinch x 1
Great Tit x 5
Blue Tit x 7
Chaffinch x 10
Blackbird x 8
Wren x 3
Collared Dove x 4
Woodpigeon x 10
Canada Geese x 10
Moorhen x 3
Coot x 5
.................................................................................................................................................................
Sat 5th May. 08.00 - 13.00 hrs. With Ian Lyth and Paul Greenall.
Don't know where this bloke had got his info from Rob, but the bird was doing it's usual circuit of the pond giving good views for everyone there .... Would have posted but was waiting for some images off Mr Lyth who had carried on into the "wild blue yonder" and zonked out somewhere !
This must be some garden pond ... the Lady of the House told us that it has been visited in the past by both Purple and Squacco Heron ??
Nice to bump into Holly Paige again.
Roger.
I certainly have seen Green Heron previously Rob. The bird at Red Wharf Bay on Anglesey was the target bird for my first ever twitch in November 2005
An early morning trip to Llan Mill with Simon Gough. Nice to see Paul Baker and his Mrs.
- Green Heron (Lifer)
A brilliantl looking bird that was partly hidden on arrival but showed well eventually before blending back into obscurity at the back of the pond. We witnessed it stealthily climbing the ponds overhanging branches and then lean down and catch a Perch in lightning speed, which it had actually speared with the bill's upper mandible.
We got lucky yesterday as a birder present told us that on Saturday it had spent all day hidden in the reeds so well worth the long journey.
Other birds of note...
- 1 Dipper flew right by us while watching the Heron
- 2 Blackcap
- 1 Sedge Warbler
- 1 Willow Warbler
- 1 Chiffchaff
- 2 Whitethroat
- 1 Bullfinch
- a possible Lesser Whitethroat but it was heard only from a moving car so I could've been wrong.
I'm surprised it seems nobody else off the forum has been for this bird, unless you've all seen one before and it is a fair distance away which has to be taken into consideration. It was just something that struck me that's all, and I hope it had nothing to do with the negative politics that surround the landowner.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 7th of May 2018 01:56:29 PM
Newport (one in Pembrokeshire!) - from Ironbridge along short section of Afon Nyfer estuary:
Red Kite x 1
Greenshank x 3
Bar-Tailed Godwit x 3
Little Egret x 2
Curlew x 3
Common Sandpiper x 2
Ringed Plover x 7
Oystercatcher x 10
Goosander x 4
Bar-Headed Goose x 2 (locals think they are escapees)
Greylag Goose x 1
Canada Geese x 400 plus
Linnet x 30
Cormorant x 1
Great Black-Backed Gull x 5
Herring Gull x 10
Black-Headed Gull x 40
Carrion Crow x 10
Jackdaw x 20
Mute Swan x 2
Mallard x 15
Magpie x 2
Robin x 2
Wren x 1
Long-Tailed Tit x 1
Collared Dove x 2
Dinas Head in the morning:
Raven x 2
Meadow Pipit x 20
Gannet x 3
Stonechat x 10
Wheatear x 3
Swallows x 5
9th September 2017 10:00 - 16:00 hrs.
Peregrine x 1
Kestrel x 4
Buzzard x 2
Linnet x 30
Chough x 4
Gannet x 5
Rock Pipit x 10
Stonechat x 7
Wheatear x 3
Meadow Pipit x 1
Raven x 2
White Wagtail x 1
Oystercatcher x 4
Swallows x 10
House Martin x 5
Jay x 1
Cormorant x 2
Carrion Crow x 15
Jackdaw x 10
Rook x 5
Great Black-Backed Gulls x 5
Herring Gulls x 30
Rock Dove x 10
Robin x 1
Goldfinch x 5
House Sparrow x 10
Dunnock x 1
Mallard x 4
Left the house at 4.20am and was back home at 3.30pm in time for United!
Best part of a 5 hrs journey, a lot of it in pitch black unlit roads through deepest darkest mid Wales, but some cracking sightings on both journeys, especially the Mammals (to follow on other wildlife).
Camrose village.
- Masked Wagtail (Lifer)
Was showing down to a few feet literally minutes after parking up.
A fantastic, very confiding little bird, not bothered about the 6 or 7 of us present. Well worth the journey. Even some of the residents were out taking pictures, nice people!
Other birds seen on the trip as a whole...
- Red Kite 50+ ??
- Hen Harrier 1 Ringtail being mobbed by Carrion Crows
- Merlin 1 female bombing across a field chasing a bird
- Ravens here and there
- Redwing / Fieldfare ... constant flocks over
I stopped to see a couple of Red Kites just outside Pembroke as they were low over the road, when I got out of the car to look in the field they were scouring over...I was amazed to a whole plethora of birds there. The field was recently ploughed and it was alive with birds with more flying around.
All feeding together were...
- Red Kite 10+
- Common Buzzard 15-20 (lots of pale ones)
- Grey Heron 3
- Little Egret 2
- Lapwing 75-100
- Redwing / Fieldfare / Mistle Thrush / Blackbird
- Rooks / Ravens / Carrion Crows
29th September 2016 09:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Osprey x 1
Twite x 5
Chough x 4
Gannet x 2
Rock Pipit x 5
Stonechat x 20
Wheatear x 3
Raven x 4
Meadow Pipit x 7
Oystercatcher x 4
Swallows x 50
Cormorant x 4
Kestrel x 3
Buzzard x 1
Carrion Crow x 15
Jackdaw x 20
Rook x 17
Great Black-Backed Gulls x 7
Rock Dove x 30
Dunnock x 1
26th September 2016.
Highlights included:
Curlew Sandpiper x 2
Kingfisher x 1
Little Egret x 3
Curlew x 2
Oystercatcher x 4
Common Sandpiper x 1
Teal x 5
Great Black-Backed Gull x 3
Mute Swan x 2
Cormorant x 5
Robin x 3
Mallard x 10
The Preseli Ridge
Highlights included:
Raven x 30 (total of different sightings)
Red Kite x 8
Buzzard x 5
Wheatear x 1
Stonechat x 7
Meadow Pipit x 15
No boats to Skomer Island from Martin's Haven this morning - so unable to check out Icterine Warbler on Skomer (which was sighted again today).
So Plan 'B' instead - circular walk - Wooltack Point - Marloes Sands - Marloes Mere - return to Martin's Haven.
Chough x 8
Stonechat x 10
Meadow Pipit x 15
Gannet x 3
Raven x 4
Linnet x 7
Reed Bunting x 1
Robin x 4
House Sparrow x 8
Carrion Crow x 20
Jackdaw x 30
Buzzard x 1
Swallow x 40
Cormorant x 2
Magpie x 6
Marloes Mere:
Willow Warbler x 1
Little Grebe x 1
Mallard x 20
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Monday 19th of September 2016 06:52:08 PM
Sunday, 18th September 2016 10:15 - 15:30 hrs.
Chough x 2
Red Kite x 1
Peregrine Falcon x 2
Sparrowhawk x 1
Buzzard x 3
Kestrel x 2
Raven x 4
Stonechat x 15
Rock Pipit x 3
Meadow Pipit x 5
Linnet x 7
Oystercatcher x 1
Dipper x 1
Wren x 1
Rook x 40
Carrion Crow x 30
Jackdaw x 35
Swallow x 10
Cormorant x 1
Great Black-Backed Gull x 5
Herring Gull x 10
Black-Headed Gull x 5
Robin x 3
Blue Tit x 1
Great Tit x 1
Chaffinch x 3
House Sparrow x 9
Magpie x 3
Canada Geese x 10
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Sunday 18th of September 2016 04:11:00 PM
Saturday, 17th September 2016 09:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Chough x 7 (different sightings)
Gannet x 2
Stonechat x 60
Raven x 2
Meadow Pipit x 10
Oystercatcher x 2
Swallows x 150 (flying south along Welsh coast)
House Martin x 30
Cormorant x 4
Kestrel x 1
Buzzard x 1
Carrion Crow x 20
Jackdaw x 50
Rook x 30
Great Black-Backed Gulls x 3
Herring Gull x 40
Magpie x 3
Rock Dove x 30
Woodpigeon x 10
Blue Tit x 5
Great Tit x 3
Robin x 3
Mallard x 20
On drive down through Wales yesterday - my passenger saw 18 different sightings of Red Kite and 1 Buzzard along A487 between Machynlleth and Cardigan
Walk from Broad Haven (Millmoor car park) - Haroldston Wood - along Pembrokeshire Coastal Path back to Broad Haven. Cloudy, windy but mild.
Whinchat x 1 (lifer for me - amazing that I have not seen this bird before!)
Peregrine x 1
Stonechat x 3
Gannet x 1
Raven x 1
Spotted Flycatcher x 2
Buzzard x 1
Oystercatcher x 3
White Wagtail x 1
Cormorant x 2
Coal Tit x 2
Long Tailed Tit x 1
Blue Tit x 1
Great Tit x 2
Blackbird x 2
Wren x 1
House Sparrow x 10
Meadow Pipit x 3
Great Black-Backed Gulls x 10
Herring Gulls x 30
Rooks x 50
Jackdaws x 40
Carrion Crows x 5
Magpie x 2
Robin x 5
Walk from Goodwick (west of Fishguard) to Carregwastad Point along Pembrokeshire Coastal Path and inland return via Llanwnda. Dry and sunny conditions.
Hi Rob - thanks for your update and your private message. In the excitement of spotting Wryneck on Ramsey Island yesterday - I should have specified it was 700 plus Grey Atlantic Seal Pups that are expected in total by November (on / around Ramsey Island).
Highlight - Red Kite x 3
Chough x 2
Buzzard x 2
Kestrel x 1
Raven x 5
Linnet x 20
Stonechat x 15
Gannet x 1 (out at sea)
Goldfinch x 30
Great Black-Backed Gulls x 10
Herring Gulls x 10
Blue Tit x 1
Cormorant x 2
Swallows x 30
Magpies x 2
Jackdaws x 10
Meadow Pipit x 3
Robin x 5
Grey Atlantic Seals and pups x lots
Butterflies:
Small Copper x 1
Speckled Wood x 25
Small Tortoiseshell x 7
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 19th of September 2015 06:23:42 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 19th of September 2015 08:35:39 PM
Ramsey Island (boat trip from St Justinians). Dry and sunny conditions. Great to meet Greg and Lisa who are employed by RSPB and are resident on Island.
Main Highlight - Wryneck x 1 (first sighting for me on British mainland - do not feel too bad now about missing out on one at Lytham!)
Marsh Harrier (Male) x 1
Buzzard x 1
Kestrel x 1
Spotted Flycatcher x 1
Rock Pipit x 1
Chough x 20 (there are currently 7 breeding pairs on island)
Wheatear x 15
Stonechat x 7
Gannets x lots (out at sea)
Pied Wagtail x 2
White Wagtail x 1
Meadow Pipit x 20
Dunnock x 1
Blue Tit x 1
Robin x 3
Great Black-Backed Gull x 3
Herring Gull x 10
Black-Headed Gull x 3
Carrion Crow x 5
Raven x 4
Rooks x 5
Jackdaw x 20
Rock Dove x 5
Swallows x 50
House Martin x 20
Atlantic Seals (approximately 50 adults and 30 pups) scattered around island coast. Greg tells me that this figure will increase to unbelievable maximum 700 plus by November.
Monk Haven - Musselwick - Gann Estuary (and pools) - and inland return
Blackcap x 1 (Female)
Spotted Flycatcher x 3
Bar-Tailed Godwit x 10
Raven x 5
Curlew x 25
Great Black-backed Gull x 15
Lesser Black-backed Gull x 10
Black-headed Gull x 20
Herring Gull x 20
Redshank x 7
Oystercatcher x 20
Wheatear x 4
Stonechat x 1
Willow Warbler x 1
Little Egret x 5
White Wagtail x 3
Common Sandpiper x 3
Swallows x 50
Buzzard x 1
Magpie x 2
Rook x 20
Jackdaw x 10
Carrion Crow x 5
Cormorant x 3
Long Tailed Tit x 3
Wren x 1
Robin x 3
Great Tit x 5
Blue Tit x 5
Blackbird x 3
Nuthatch x 1
Mallard x 5
Goldfinch x 3
Chaffinch x 1
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Wednesday 16th of September 2015 07:22:14 PM
Boat trip to Ramsey Island cancelled this morning due to high sea swell round the island.
So - Plan B instead - Walk from Whitesands Bay - St Davids Head - along Pembrokeshire coast - round Carn Llidi - back to Whitesands Bay
Gannet x 7
Chough x 3
Whitethroat x 2
Stonechat x 40
Wheatear x 10
White Wagtail x 5
Willow Warbler x 1
Meadow Pipit x 20
Kestrel x 1
Raven x 4
Rook x 25
Oyster Catcher x 1
Jackdaw x 20
Great Black-Backed Gull x 4
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Herring Gull
Black-Headed Gull
Rock Dove x 1
Goldfinch x 7
Robin x 5
Dunnock x 1
Blue Tit x 1
Great Tit x 1
House Sparrow x 2
Swallow x 15
Atlantic Seals and 3 pups
Sunday 13th September 2015 11:00 - 15:00 hrs.
Hoping to see Juvenile Red-Backed Shrike - seen earlier this week - but unfortunately no sign.
White Wagtail x 5
Linnet x 7
Stonechat x 3
Kestrel x 1
Rooks x 20
Meadow Pipit x 5
Magpies x 2
Jackdaws x 20
Carrion Crows x 10
House Sparrow x 8
Goldfinch x 20
Robin x 3
Blue Tit x 1
Blackbird x 1
Butterflies:
Common Blue (1M and 1F)
Painted Lady x 2
Meadow Brown x 2
Speckled Wood x 30
Small Tortoisehell x 3
Peacock x 2
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Sunday 13th of September 2015 04:20:32 PM
Saturday, 12th September 2015 10:30 - 16:30 hrs. Rain had stopped by time of starting walk - sunshine with cool sea breeze throughout walk - perfect walking and birding conditions.
On drive down through Wales yesterday - saw 11 Red Kite and 5 Buzzards along A487 between Machynlleth and Cardigan
Chough x 4
Gannet x 5
Linnet x 20
Stonechat x 50
Wheatear x 4
Spotted Flycatcher x 3
Rock Pipit x 7
Raven x 5
Willow Warbler x 4
Meadow Pipit x 7
Oystercatcher x 1
Swallows x 40
House Martin x 10
Cormorant x 2
Goldfinch x 20
Kestrel x 3
Carrion Crow x 10
Jackdaw x 50
Rook x 30
Lesser Blacked-Back Gulls x 50
Great Black-Backed Gulls x 5
Herring Gull x 40
Magpie x 2
Rock Dove x 30
Collared Dove x 5
Woodpigeon x 10
Greenfinch x 1
Long Tailed Tits x 2
Blue Tit x 1
Dunnock x 1
Wren x 1
Robin x 3
Walk from St Davids Head - Whitesands Bay - St Justinians (and back)
Golden Plover
Sanderling
Rock Pipit
Swallow (still a few left to leave!)
Meadow Pipit
Chough
Gannet
Curlew
Kestrel
Raven
Crow
Rook
Stonechat
Wheatear
Oyster Catchers
Jackdaw
Great Black-Backed Gull
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Herring Gull
Black Headed Gull
Rock Dove
Goldfinch
Robin
Cormorant
No sign of Wryneck on St Davids Head today (spotted twice in last week)
No sign of Rose-Coloured Starling today (spotted a few times in last week) a mile from coast at nearby campsite.
Adult seals and pups
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 25th of September 2014 05:03:18 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Thursday 25th of September 2014 05:04:52 PM
Ramsey Island:
Monday, 15th September 2014 10:30 - 16:00 hrs.
Chough x 10
Spotted Flycatcher x 4
Whinchat x 1
Stonechat x 3
Wheatear x 10
Meadow Pipits x lots
Peregrine
Kestrel
Buzzard
Raven x 4
Pied Wagtail
Crows
Great Black Backed Gulls x lots
Lesser Black Backed Gulls
Herring Gulls
No sign of Little Owl
Lots of Atlantic Seals and Pups on beaches
Saturday, 13th September 2014 10:30 - 17:00 hrs. in glorious sunshine and perfect temperature:
Chough (well chuffed!)
Gannet
Stonechat
Rock Pipit
White Wagtail
Ringed Plover
Common Sandpiper
Raven
Oystercatcher
Swallows
Cormorant
Goldfinch
Kestrel
Crows
Jackdaw
Lesser Blacked-Back Gulls
Blacked Backed Gulls
Herring Gull
Magpie
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Feral Pigeon
Also seen:
Atlantic Grey Seals and pup
Lizard
Butterflies:
Red Admiral x lots
Speckled Wood
Large White
Common Blue
Small Copper
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:17:46 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:23:05 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:25:25 PM
-- Edited by Steve Judge on Saturday 13th of September 2014 09:26:33 PM
huge numbers of common scoter
pomarine skua
great skua
fulmar
gannet
manx shearwater
poss. sooty shearwater
razorbill
eider
little gull
shag
peregrine
rock pipit
sandwich tern
LAMPHEY
Tawny Owls - 2
Goldcrest
FRESHWATER
Reedbeds next to car park
Sedge warbler, Reed warbler, Reed Bunting all nesting, Goldfinches.
Cliff walk
Dunnock, Linnet, Whitethroat, Skylark, Meadow pipit, all in abundance.
GBB Gulls, LBB Gulls, Carrion Crows, 2 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine,
Cormorants, Oystercatchers, 4 Dunlin, 2 Stonechat (m), Jackdaws everywhere.
STACKPOLE
Female Redstart on picnic table!, Chaffinches eating out of your hand.
STACKPOLE HEAD
Pied Wagtails, Crows, Skylark and Linnet all over the place.
Herring Gulls with chicks, Fulmar with chicks, Guillimots and Razorbills giving fantastic views on the cliffs. 4 Gannet, 10 Cormorant, and nesting Jackdaw by the dozen.
-- Edited by john brookes on Thursday 7th of June 2012 10:19:40 PM
DALE
After an excellent Dinner at the Griffin Inn we went for a stroll along the embankment that separates the sea and pebble beach from the lagoon.
Birds seen:
Dunlin...9
Bar-tailed Godwit....2
Oystercatcher....30
Knot...1
Curlew...14
Whimbrel...1
Redshank...2
Grey Heron...1
Today we explored the Fishguard area of Pembrokeshire.
Strumble Head
A top sea watching site,but a little quiet on this visit.
Manx Shearwater...7
Puffin...1
Gannets....c 200
Oystercatchers...2
Razorbill...2
Fulmar 9
Kestrel...1
Swallows/Linnets/Stonechat(1).
Cormorant 4
Shag...1
Kittiwake
Rock Pipit...1
Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.
Fishguard (Goodwick Moor)
This reed bed and wood near the town centre produced:
Greenfinch...2,
Linnet...3
Chaffinch...plenty
Garden Warbler...1
Wren...1
Blackcap...3
Robins
Oystercatcher
Reed Bunting...1
Sedge Warbler...3
Reed Warbler...1
House Sparrows
Ringed Plover
Nevern Estuary(Newport)
Around the boats on the sands near the mouth of the Estuary were:
Ringed Plover ...c40
Sanderling...4
Dunlin...12
Turnstone...2
Cormorants.
Shelduck
Canada geese
Great Black-backed,Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 06:29:11 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 06:33:25 PM
Today we explored the south Pembrokeshire coast, and enjoyed more hot sunny weather.
Freshwater West.
We sat on the edge of the cliffs and watched around 30 Sand Martin coming and going into their holes.
A Rock Pipit was near us, and at sea were Gannets and Auk, as well as a white headed Cormorant.
Elegug Stacks
This is a tall pillar of rock, just in the sea, a few yards off the cliff. It is aptly name, as Elegug translates into Guillemot.
The top of the rock and down it's side were coved in Guillemots ,although
lower down Razorbills could be seen.
It has the largest breeding colony (mainland) in South Wales.
Fulmars and Kittiwake were also about
A Skylark was seen..
Bosherston Pools to St. Govan's head.
A longish walk produced nothing too special other than:
Mute Swan....5
Buzzard...1
Reed Warbler...1
Linnet ...several
Stonechat...1
Swallows
Long-tail Tits
Jackdaws and Crows
Whitethroat ...several.
A few Swifts.
Goldfinch...1
Pied Wagtail...1
Mallards.
Blackpool Mill and the Leat walk
At the bridge by the mill,we had 2 or 3 Dippers ,a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail, all within 10 minutes.
The woods on the Leat walk were quiet but we managed a Spotted Flycatcher, a Marsh Tit, a Coal Tit and a Jay.
Also a Broad- bodied Chaser and a Beautiful Damoiselle Dragonfly.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 05:00:07 PM
VISIT TO SKOMER ISLAND. NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE
Along with 7 other Bolton RSPB members,I enjoyed a great day out on this Island ,which is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.
This was my first visit here. The weather was hot and sunny.
Before we could embark our party on the ''Dale Princess' at Martin's Haven,we had some time to explore the Headland (Wooltackpoint) that overlooks the Jetty.
This turned out to be a pleasant 90 minutes walk with outstanding views.
Headland Sightings:
Common Whitethroat...2
Gannet ...5
Swallows....10
Stonechat...3
Linnet....3
Chough...13
Fulmar...3
Rock Pipit...1
Meadow Pipit....3
Great Black- backed Gulls
Oystercatcher...1
Shelduck...2
Herring Gulls
Peregrine...1
Razorbill...2
Dunnock...1
Skomer
As the Boat approached the Island numerous Puffins and Auk flew around.
An airborne Herring Gull was fed by hand from the boats cabin.
Flowers on Skomer were incredible. Large areas of Bluebell mingling with Red Campion to produce a stunning carpet of colour
Sightings:
Many more Puffins were seen throughout the island, and burrows were widespread.
Offshore, Gannets were continually seen, often diving.
As well as the large colonies of Razorbill and Guillemot, there was a substantial Kittiwake colony and plenty Fulmar.
Large numbers of Lesser Black- backed and Great Black- back Gulls and also Herring Gulls.
Black Rabbits can be seen on the Island, which I think, once held a Rabbit Farm.
Spotted Flycatcher and several Sedge Warblers were seen.
A Rock Pipit and a Pied Wagtail added to the List.
Meadow Pipits and Common Whitethroat were plentiful,
as were Swallows and Jackdaws.
Also a Cormorant, 3 Shovelers, 2 Shelduck, 2 Moorhen, a few Canada Geese and a Wren.
A Little Owl was seen and while waiting for the return boat more Chough appeared.
No Manx Shearwaters visible.
-- Edited by keith mills on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 01:05:52 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 06:35:42 PM